Key Highlights:
- Mercedes driver George Russell has backed reserve driver Frederik Vesti as a serious contender for a Cadillac Formula 1 seat for the 2027 campaign.
- Vesti impressed during opening practice in Mexico, finishing third overall after taking over Russell’s Mercedes W15 for the session.
- Cadillac test driver Colton Herta remains in contention and is closing in on a superlicence, despite a difficult FP1 outing where he finished at the bottom of the timesheet.
Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has positioned team reserve driver Frederik Vesti as a surprising candidate to secure a Cadillac Formula 1 seat for the 2027 season. The American outfit has yet to officially confirm Valtteri Bottas as a partner to Sergio Perez, who recently signed a contract extension on Wednesday, leaving potential vacancies and intensifying speculation surrounding several prospective contenders.
Russell Backs Vesti’s Push for a Cadillac Seat
The 24-year-old Danish driver, who finished as the runner-up in the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship, has combined his Mercedes reserve duties with sports car racing in Cadillacās Hypercar program. Frederik Vesti took the wheel of Russell’s Mercedes during Free Practice 1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, completing his seventh career FP1 outing.
Maximizing a late run on soft tires following extensive long-run data collection, Vesti finished the session in third position, just 0.074 seconds behind stablemate Kimi Antonelli and 0.733 seconds behind session leader Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. His showing prompted high praise from Russell, who revealed he had actively pushed for Vesti to get a fair platform to showcase his raw pace.
He did a really good job,
said Russell. I know he’s really fighting hard to be in with a shot potentially of the Cadillac seat, and I think he deserves his chance.
Russell further emphasized the reserve driver’s selfless contributions behind the scenes: He’s put a lot of effort in working with our team, we all respect him very highly; most FP1 sessions that he’s done, he’s had the brunt of the work and not really getting performance runs in. So I think it was important for us as a team, and I said to the team, ‘I want to ensure that he gets an opportunity to show what he can do, that’s the least that we could do’, so yeah that was nice.
Cadillac’s Options: Vesti, Herta, and the Driver Market
While Vesti was reported to be extremely happy
following his top-three FP1 classification, Cadillac test driver Colton Herta experienced a contrasting Friday outing. Substituting for Bottas, the former IndyCar star struggled for pace in Mexico, finishing 20th and bottom of the timing boardsā3.237 seconds behind the benchmark and 0.970 seconds behind 18th-placed Perez.
Despite a frustrating Formula 2 campaign and an ongoing wait to meet full superlicence criteria, Herta remains an active contender for the Cadillac outfit. The American driver is poised to secure his mandatory FIA superlicence points by taking part in an FP1 session at the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.
I want to do the best I can for the team,
Herta explained. Every time I get in the car, I want to be in Formula 1 – that’s the goal. That’s why I’m over here doing this. Personally, I want to get there as soon as possible. A lot of discussions are happening and a lot of stuff is going on outside of what I can control. I’m just trying to do my best inside the car and hope that shows for something.
Other candidates are also factoring into the broader market shift. Outgoing Haas driver Esteban Ocon is on the market, though he is understood to be destined for a reserve role with Aston Martin, leaving Vesti and Herta as prominent internal and affiliated figures under consideration.
Why This Matters
Cadillac’s pending entry into Formula 1 has intensified competition among established drivers, junior talents, and manufacturer affiliates vying for scarce race seats. With Sergio Perez’s extension securing one side of the garage, the evaluation of Bottas, Herta, and Vesti illustrates Cadillac’s strategic balance between proven Grand Prix experience and younger developmental talent. Vestiās dual role with Mercedes and Cadillacās Hypercar program provides him with relevant endurance and hybrid-era mileage, making him an increasingly viable Grand Prix candidate if Cadillac opts for fresh talent alongside its veteran lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Frederik Vesti being linked to Cadillac?
Frederik Vesti already competes for Cadillac in their Hypercar program while serving as a reserve driver for Mercedes. His familiarity with the manufacturer and strong performance in Formula 1 practice outings have made him a viable option for their planned driver lineup.
What is Colton Herta’s current superlicence status?
Colton Herta does not currently possess the required FIA superlicence to race in Formula 1. However, he is expected to qualify and secure the necessary points by participating in an official FP1 practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Has Cadillac confirmed its full driver lineup?
Cadillac has confirmed that Sergio Perez signed a contract extension, but the team has not formally locked in Valtteri Bottas as his teammate, keeping the door open for other contenders including Frederik Vesti and Colton Herta.
